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New Orleans inspector general has authority to audit School Board, judge rules

New Orleans Inspector General Ed Quatrevaux

Civil District Court judge Christopher Bruno has ruled that the New Orleans inspector general, Ed Quatrevaux, has the power to audit the Orleans Parish School Board.
(Kathleen Flynn, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)

Civil District Court Judge Christopher Bruno has ruled that the New Orleans inspector general has the authority to audit the Orleans Parish School Board. Bruno denied the board's motion to quash IG Ed Quatrevaux's subpoena for financial records, in a decision that could affect many public agencies and boards.

State law gives an inspector general the authority to audit "quasi-public bodies." Bruno had pointed out during a hearing earlier this month that the state law was written so broadly that it included the School Board, and he reiterated that point in the decision.

New Orleans' home rule charter says the IG may audit any entity that receives money through the City of New Orleans, even if the entity is not part of City Hall. The city serves as the School Board's tax collector. School Board attorney Bill Aaron argued that did not constitute "receiving funds through the city," especially since the city charges a 2 percent commission for the collection service. However, Bruno rejected that argument.

Furthermore, Bruno dismissed the School Board's contention that constitutionally, a home rule charter may not touch a school board. In a close reading, Bruno determined that while the state Constitution says "no home rule charter or plan of government shall contain any provision affecting a school board or the offices of district attorney, sheriff, assessor, clerk of a district court or coroner, which is inconsistent with this constitution or law," the word affect means "injurious, or taking away a right or privilege."

An inspector general audit does not hurt the School Board, nor does it take away its independence, the judge wrote.

Interim schools Superintendent Stan Smith said Wednesday no decision had been made on whether to appeal the decision.